Things You'll Need:
- lots of patience
- love
- money
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Step 1
Decide on a country. Research many different agencies that specialize in international adoption. Find out information such as wait time, fees and requirements. Countries have different rules about who can adopt their children. Some countries allow single mothers, for example, while others do not. Some countries don't mind a DUI from ten years ago on your record while other countries will turn you down for a legal incident that happened when you were 18. Agencies can help you find out if you qualify for a particular program.
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Step 2
Decide what you will accept in a child. It can be very difficult to admit to yourself that you are only interested in a healthy baby or that you are, in fact, willing to adopt a child with special needs. Every chid is precious and deserves a home, but you should think carefully about whether your home is the right choice for a child's particular needs.
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Step 3
Choose an agency. Your choice of agency is very important to your adoption. The relationship of your agency to the adoptive country can make a difference in your adoption. Your agency should be open with details about money and waiting times. They should be realistic with you. Be suspicious of an agency who promises you a child in a very short time. You can check agencies out on yahoo groups and other sites where adoptive families read and post.
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Step 4
Complete a dossier. Your dossier is paperwork about you and your family. It is different for each country but typically includes things like financial statements, background checks and personal information. Your agency will give you the information you need to complete a dossier. This process alone can take many months.
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Step 5
Get a homestudy done. A homestudy is vital to any adoption. This is when a social worker comes into you home to decide if you are qualified to raise a child. Sometimes the questions the social worker asks will be intrusive and personal. It's all part of the process. When the social worker decides you are able to raise a child - and they almost always do - you will have an approved home study. This will be included in your dossier.
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Step 6
Apply for permission to bring an adopted child into the United States. This is done with a form you fill out for the United States Government. You agency will give you directions.
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Step 7
Wait. Wait and wait and wait. Your agency should provide support during this time. It's helpful to join a group of people with the same timeline as you. Expect delays. Changes and problems are typical. A smooth adoption is not the normal experience.
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Step 8
Get your child! After all that work you will finally travel to pick up your child or you will have the child delivered to you. Some countries require more than one trip, where you will firt meet the child and then return to bring her home.
